Ariki Backpackers

10/10

Exceptional

19 Feb 2026

Edwin

All good

Self

10/10

Exceptional

28 Dec 2025

Julie

Friendly staff and clean room but the restaurant and pub was noisy even after midnight.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

13 Dec 2025

Jan Leven

Staff are accommodating and the room is comfortable to sleep

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

01 Dec 2025

Renee

Such a cool place!! Clean and tidy and actual comfortable beds! Great location, will definitely look to stay here again

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

24 Nov 2025

MARIO

Good price. The room was big enough for the 3 of us. The beds were very comfortable. Staff is nice and they were kind enough to let us check in after hours. Good location right in the city centre. The only bad thing is that the area looks a bit sketchy and unsafe but nothing happened

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

09 Nov 2025

R

Room was clean and comfortable.
Location was convenient. Staff were great - really helpful.

Business

8/10

Excellent

15 Oct 2025

Ofer

Great staff. Not as clean as most hostels in New Zealand. Guests did not keep the kitchen as clean as in others as well. Good location.

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

21 Jul 2025

Tim and Regina

We enjoyed our stay. Our expectations were largely matched for the price.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

29 May 2025

David

Only had one issue, but it was a frustrating one. Had a room with a shower. Went to take a shower around 9pm and there was NO hot water! Fortunately, I tried again around 11, and took a quick shower for fear of running out of hot water. Outside of this issue, the room was fine

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

27 Apr 2025

Shaun

.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

03 Apr 2025

Dru

Really good place the manager was a cool dude was very welcoming definitely recommend this place

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

02 Apr 2025

Cienna

excellent

8/10

Excellent

20 Mar 2025

Rebecca

Safe, quiet, good vibes from staff and other backpackers. A bit outdated could use some upkeep. Overall good spot for solo travellers.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

03 Mar 2025

Jacky

The staffs are very good and helpful

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

11 Jan 2025

anna

The location was brillriant. Chris was super friendly, welcoming and helpful. Everything was great. Unfortunately, sleep was disturbed by the noise from the bar / party next door until the small hrs. Plus we had thought that the backpackers had a car park, which it didnt. Facilities were good though and we would stay there again.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

29 Dec 2024

Angel

It was nice

Business_and_leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

29 Nov 2024

T

Everything was excellent. Except the mattresses. The mattresses were so bad that one of our group said they would have preferred kicking a policeman in the nuts and spend the night in the cells. Even the noise of the bar directly under the backpackers was bearable. The mattresses - not so much.
Staff were friendly, and helpful. The kitchen was large enough for several parties to be cooking at once and you can’t beat the location.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

20 Sep 2024

Aiden

Super friendly with a very homely vibe

Leisure Self

2/10

Poor

15 Aug 2024

Nik

Was not a pleasant experience

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 Jul 2024

David

The only thing I didn’t like was parking. I had a car and there was no parking facilities near the backpackers. Outside of this it more more than adequate! The attendant was friendly & helpful!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jul 2024

Jo

Have stayed there for 3 nights so far, 1 next week. Everyone has been great.
Some of the mess is from the Backpackers being lazy and not doing their dishes and leaving pizza boxes for the staff to clean up.
Very good for the price.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

12 Jul 2024

Hamahona

Very warm feeling to the building along with the staff. Very convenient to town Centre, bus services and the beach. I recommend the Ariki back Packer's to anyone looking for accommodation in the New Plymouth area.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jul 2024

Jo

I meant to put 2 stars about property conditions. It is clean and beds you cannot fault.

The building and some chattels could eg paint and carpets.

Some Backpackers leave the kitchen messy too. Thry need

10/10

Exceptional

17 Apr 2024

Alyssa

Great little backpackers! Would stay again.

10/10

Exceptional

21 Mar 2024

Faye

Property was very clean and tidy. Staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Very conveniently located for dining, shopping, broadwalk, bus terminal. Only issue is no parking which could be alleviated by putting a blurb about where you can park. One thing said there was parking and another said no parking??

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Mar 2024

Jennie

Lovely refuge and great spot to visit central attractions and sea walks.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jan 2024

Barbara

Enjoyed two nights in the family room. Excellent value with air conditioning, TV and own bathroom. All linen supplied. Excellent location right in the centre, next to mall, restaurants and costal walkway. Excellent staff service. I would have liked to rate cleanliness higher, but some guests did not always leave the kitchen clean or wash and dry their dishes.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jan 2024

Donna

Fantastic place. Great location for coastal walkway, right in town. Bars, restaurants all handy.
Manager was so friendly and welcoming, also very efficient. Best hostel I've stayed in NZ.

10/10

Exceptional

05 Nov 2023

Sofia

I liked a lot!

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jan 2023

Jack

Great service and accommodation. The only thing I'd take issue with is the parking which you have to either pay for from 9am-5pm or not drive at all. Don't let this overshadow your stay though, as it's a lovely place.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

16 Jul 2022

Shelley

Location very convenient and helpful staff.
Noisy at night especially Friday and Saturday nights.

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jan 2022

Maria Eugenia

Good stay

We stayed one night only at a private room. It was spacious and clean. Awesome location, nice staff.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jan 2022

Aurore

Really nice stay

Really warm welcoming, explaining everything around the hostel but also what to do. The room was cozy not noisy with ac and with clean bathroom. Really close to the intercity bus stop.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

10 Oct 2021

Rangi

It was safe

Business Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

25 Jul 2021

Karen M

Extremely helpful & friendly hosts. Backpackers well run.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jul 2021

Verified traveler

Staff and other guests all lovely. Great kitchen facilities

Business Partner

8/10

Excellent

09 Jan 2021

John

Very central to museums, shops, bars, eateries and the coastal walk and cycleway

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

20 Jul 2020

Jenny

Good place. Friendly staff. Our stay was very pleasant

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

03 Dec 2019

Verified traveler

Staff very friendly and knowledgable great central location

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

15 Nov 2019

Verified traveler

Great location, helpful and friendly staff, clean and comfortable. Highly recommend.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Oct 2019

Verified traveler

Super friendly staff & atmosphere, and the room was great. Handy location too being so central. 10/10 would recommend

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

29 Aug 2019

CLARENCE

PERFECT LOCATION

Perfect location. Just across the road from Puke Ariki, The Wind wand and waterfront. Stone throw from the Len Lye centre.
If you can't sleep with pub and karaoke noise, then this is not for you. We stayed on Friday night and the noise didn't bother me. The host gave us a big room. Very friendly and helpful. Plus ear plugs:).

Friends

6/10

Pleasant

31 Jul 2019

Verified traveler

I liked the location being so close to food places, mall, beach and bus stops. I liked the helpful guy at reception. No lift to get upstairs and building is very old and run down. Very affordable though.

Business Self

4/10

Poor

20 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

Loud

It's above a pub so Saturday night is super loud 😓 Not conducive to an early night.

6/10

Pleasant

07 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

Too noisy at night on Thursday to saturday nights.

Customer service was very friendly and welcoming.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

23 Jan 2019

Verified traveler

Friendly place. Great location. Very central......

10/10

Exceptional

21 Dec 2018

Klara

Would stay there again

This was a second stay at this hostel. The private room is great. The rooftop terrace is the best :)

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Dec 2018

Klara

Recommend!

Great place to stay in New Plymouth. The staff was friendly and gave a lot of tipps about the area and the location is really central with lots of eateries, shops, etc. I really liked the cozy commonrooms which so that you can chat with the other visitors if you wanted to.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Oct 2018

P

Awesome location right In the CBD of New Plymouth. TV and WiFi work great in the room. We had an ensuite but shared facilities available for a little less money. Excellent staff. Tons of shopping and food within a block, very walkable.e. Prices in downtown New Plymouth are a little higher than elsewhere. Oceanfront visible from the front door. Only down side was the large lack of parking. Closest free parking was four blocks away up the hill on Brigham street. The parking mavens missed regulating three spots at the very end of the street. Free parking on site from 5 PM to 6 AM but you HAVE to move at 6 AM. It’s a pain in the rain.

8/10

Excellent

23 Oct 2018

Verified traveler

Excellent location, though a little noisy at night in the weekend

10/10

Exceptional

20 Aug 2018

Verified traveler

Excellent location in the CBD, staff very friendly and helpful. Reasonably priced bicycle hire. We stayed in a double room and the bed was pretty comfortable and it was nice and clean. The kitchen could do with a bit of a clean but was well equipt and basics like herbs, oil and tea are provided.

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jun 2018

Bee

Great for a central, safe bed for the night.

Great central location within walking distance to several points of interest and local cafes and eating places. Although an older building, it was well run, safe and clean and fitting for its purpose. Helpful staff. Would definitely stay again. Now a favourite.

8/10

Excellent

27 Apr 2018

Shane

Great stay enjoyed the fact it was in the centre of town and at a great price piont

6/10

Pleasant

04 Apr 2018

Verified traveler

Adequate facilities that are tired. Great to be in the centre of town and close to activities.

8/10

Excellent

08 Mar 2018

Ross

Conveniently situated backpackers

Ariki is a backpackers not a hotel, and offers value for money without any frills. Good points were location (near Intercity coach stop, seafront and town), friendly and helpful guy on reception, and we had our own twin ensuite room. Useful to be able to use shared fridge etc in main kitchen, and the establishment felt friendly and safe.

The downside was that it was a bit scruffy, furniture was old and surfaces were dusty, and outlook from our rear room was onto a blank wall across a narrow alley.

Pub downstairs was doing a good exclusive deal for people staying at the backpackers, pizza and a beer.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Mar 2018

Nicki

Great and cost friendly stay right at the center!

Very close (right at the center) of the bus station, the information centre is just opposite, sea view from the balcony (sunset!) and generally clean bathroom and toilets.

Family

8/10

Excellent

04 Feb 2018

Verified traveler

The staff where awesome! Really helpful. Nice roof top deck, comfy bed

8/10

Excellent

02 Jan 2018

Jessie

Great location, incredible staff.

Staff and location are amazing. Hostel is clean, a little bit older, but is a great homebase for people of all ages. Surprised to find a TV in the room and great quality wifi. I would definitely stay here again.

10/10

Exceptional

26 Nov 2017

Verified traveler

Friendly place

Felt welcome as soon as you walked in! Cozy rooms and great places surrounding

8/10

Excellent

18 Nov 2017

Susan

Fantastic location.

Great location but of course that comes with a noise factor. We were warned on arrival that Saturday nights are noisy. We were even offered ear plugs. Lol. We just dealt with it as best we could. Sunday night was fine. Kitchen was often messy with unwashed dishes left around but tgat cant be blamed on the hostel but on lazy other guests. Door of our shared shower was really difficult to lock . Probably needs fixing. We got a park right outside the front door which was a great stroke of luck.All in all, 2 nights here worked ok for us.

Family

8/10

Excellent

04 Nov 2017

Verified traveler

Very good but Saturday night was very noisy from the action in the bar below

8/10

Excellent

22 Oct 2017

adil

Nice hotel close to attractions and amenities

Over all very good we enjoyed, staffs were very friendly helpful, rooms good clean

10/10

Exceptional

30 May 2017

katy

Good location \nGreat people

Loved it. I would definitely come stay again. It was clean and good value for money

6/10

Pleasant

11 May 2017

Verified traveler

Not many other options in New Plymouth

I was disappointed in this hostel considering how highly rated it was.
Pros: staff where nice and informative:
Cons: kitchen was always a mess but this might be who was staying at the hostel, bunk beds were really saggy and uncomfortable almost hammock like, security was poor as there was no lockers, dorm door was usually left open and no locks on the showers. Also in a really noisy area by a bar making it difficult to sleep.

6/10

Pleasant

05 Apr 2017

Travellers

Convenient place to stay for most facilities in Ne

Bedrooms were adequate and clean. Kitchen adequate, but not always left clean and tidy by users.

8/10

Excellent

24 Mar 2017

jason

Great backpackers, centrally located.

had a great time at ariki. awesome location. great set up with helpful staff & lotsa great info about the taranaki area. local pub can get roudy near the weekend. recommended.

10/10

Exceptional

16 Mar 2017

Michelle

Centrally located backpackers Lodge

The staff were amazing. I am Deaf and the manager? used excellent Deaf communication skills. I wish lots of other people used such excellent skills, it would save a lot of frustration with both parties. Sign Language was not needed
with awesome communication techique. I would go again and recommend it my Deaf and hearing impaired friends as being Deaf friendly.

The lodging was exactually what was needed. A awesome place to stay.

8/10

Excellent

10 Mar 2017

Verified traveler

Easy, friendly and close to town. The staff were great and my room was lovely.

10/10

Exceptional

26 Feb 2017

eve

Great hostel, very central

This hostel was great! Super friendly and helpful staff, nice room and bathroom facilities and hugggeee communal deck with a beautiful view. Would definitely stay here again.

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jan 2017

Tao

We really enjoyed to stay there

Very good location, nice and clean family room. We really enjoyed to stay there. Definitely will recommend to my friends.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Nov 2016

ZBIGNIEW

Perfect place to stay in New Plymouth

Very nice, clean place. perfect location.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Oct 2016

Raewyn

They unexpectedly allowed us to have our dog stay overnight

Family

8/10

Excellent

18 Oct 2016

Verified traveler

okay

It was alright, perfect, awesome, lovely and relax.

10/10

Exceptional

21 Aug 2016

shel

Unable to make it.

Due to our circumstances we were unable to make it. Reception kept constant communication with our group. I would highly recommend it here just due to the great customer service we over received over the phone and emails. Thank you so much for making sure our group was safe and well.

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jun 2016

Verified traveler

really freindly step and cleand room, kitchen, good!!